The Upper East Regional Minister, Stephen Yakubu has expressed worry that the collapsed Navio steel bridge in the Kassena- Nankana West District, if not fixed, could be used as an entry point for Jihadists and some terrorist groups.
The steel bridge that borders Ghana and Burkina Faso got broken a year ago after a heavy-duty articulated truck loaded with rosewood used it.Â
The minister was on a visit to the area with the Upper East Regional Director of the Ghana Road and Highways to assess the level of damage.
“… this is a clear cut for these Jihadists and others who will want to disturb us in the region or the country to use and come in. If this bridge is not fixed, not only will the community members be cut-off but we all are being exposed to serious risk of any attack from these terrorist groups. Sadly, I’m standing here with my directors and the engineers yet we cannot fix this bridge.”
The minister then pleaded with the central government and stakeholders that matter to come to the aid of the region and fix the broken bridge.
“Please, central government, come to our aid. We have been exposed to danger if care is not taken,” the Minister pleaded.
Mr. Yakubu also had the opportunity to visit another broken bridge in the Sirigu community; the twin Sirigu-Kadare rivers.
At the twin Sirigu-Kadare rivers, the Minister in consultation with Highway and Feeder Roads directors asked for the bridge to be closed down because it poses some serious risk.Â
The Upper East Regional Director of the Ghana Roads and Highway, Ing. Philip Samwini noted that his outfit will work with the appropriate authorities to see how the bridges can be fixed before the rainy season.
Source: A1radioonline.com|101.1 MHz|Moses Apiah|Ghana